How many hot dogs can you eat in 12 minutes? If the answer is 70 or more, Nathan’s Famous is inviting you to the qualifying event for the annual Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The qualifying competition will take place at Citi Field on Roosevelt Avenue at 11:30 AM on Sunday, June 24th.

This year, Nathan’s is extending the invitation to local competitive eaters.

“Some of the most accomplished eaters in the world will compete at this event, but we are also seeking new talent in Queens to represent our nation on the most patriotic day of the year,” said Executive Vice President of Nathan’s Scott Harvey.

The top male and female qualifiers will go on to compete at Coney Island’s most famous eating competition on Independence Day.

This incrEDIBLE opportunity allows competitors to face off against reigning champions Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo. In 2017, Chestnut and Sudo claimed their Mustard Belts by eating a record-breaking 72 and 41 hot dogs, respectively.

Chestnut trains for the competition by fasting and stretching his stomach with milk, water, and protein supplements. He currently holds several World Records for competitive eating for foods including deep-fried asparagus, matzoh balls, hard boiled eggs, and poutine.

Sudo a native New Yorker and Japanese American has also proven herself to be at the forefront of the competitive eating scene. She has won the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in the women's division every year since 2014.

Legend has it that the competition was established shortly after founder Nathan Handwerker opened the original Nathan’s restaurant. On July 4th, 1916 four immigrants held a hot dog eating contest to prove who was the most patriotic and the rest is history.

Today, Nathan’s can be enjoyed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and ten foreign countries. Over 500 million Nathan’s Famous hot dogs were sold in 2017 alone.

Heralding the long-awaited summer season, the famous hot dog competition has welcomed over 35,000 fans eager to watch the competition at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues each year.

The event has also attracted millions of viewers since the event was first televised by ESPN in 2004.

Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, ensures that the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog-Eating Circuit contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event.

“Competitive eating is the lens through which our humanity is revealed,” said Major League Eating Chair George Shea. “Competing against world champ Joey Chestnut on the big stage in Coney Island on July 4 is the dream of any patriot.”

Those interested in competing in the qualifier should visit www.majorleagueeating.com to obtain further information and to register.